The Archaeology of Vacant Lots in Tucson, Arizona

Abstract

An archaeological survey of 17 vacant lots in Tucson, Arizona, was carried out as a student exercise. The survey disclosed evidence for a recurrent set of activities: travel from place to place, refuse disposal, storage, automobile-related uses, adult and children"s play, camping, and various removal processes. Hypotheses about several formation processes, especially trampling, are provided. It is argued that vacant lots are a distinctive kind of activity area involving public use of private space, present in all cities, whose archaeological study may shed light on past urban systems.